May 10: A Taste of the Good Life, Une Soirée en Provence
Transport yourself to the sunny lavender fields of Provence, if only for one night, while learning about the local wines and helping support a great cause. CancerCare provides free professional support services to people affected by cancer, and all proceeds from this event support their programs. Taste three of the region’s celebrated appellations: Côtes de Provence, Côteaux D’Aix en Provence, and Côteaux Varois en Provence, guided by writer and wine educator W.R. Tish and winemakers from Provence. Tickets are $35 each, and all proceeds benefit and its programs. Please RSVP by Monday, May 9th to Leslie Tan at 212-712-8323 or ltan@cancercare.org. 6:30 - 8:30 pm, CancerCare, 275 Seventh Avenue, 22nd Floor.

May 10th: Joe 101
The good folks at Joe invite you to their new branch to learn all the basics about coffee. You'll learn how coffee is grown, processed and roasted, and sample drip coffee from around the world, for a mere $5. The class is limited to 30 participants, so if you'd like to attend, call (212) 924-7400 or email your name and phone number to joecoffeestore@aol.com. 8 pm.
Joe, the Art of Coffee, 9 E. 13th Street between 5th Ave. and University

May 11: Taste of the Nation NY
Yes, the price tag is somewhat steep at $250, but this tasting event, which features over 50 of the city's finest restaurants benefits seven, count 'em, seven nonprofits doing great work in New York and beyond, including Just Food, Food Bank for New York City, Share Our Strength, and God's Love We Deliver. In addition to food from great restaurants including Gothamist favorites Hearth, Kuma Inn, and Landmarc, the price of admission provides you tastes of over 80 different wines from 25 vineyards, cocktails from master mixologists like Julie Reiner from the Flatiron Lounge and Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey. In addition, there will be cookbook signings, and an "exciting cook-off event" (we're really curious about this one). Visit the event website for the complete list of restaurants, and beneficiaries and to purchase tickets. 6-7:30, VIP preview ($375), 7:30-10, general admission. Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, between 6th & 7th Aves.

May 12: Grand Gourmet – The Flavor of Midtown
Proceeds benefit the Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation, the largest not-for-profit homeless social services provider in New York City. The Campbell Apartment, English Is Italian, Murray's Cheese Shop, and Pompano, are some of the 30+ participating restauraunts and gourmet purveyors. 7:00-9:30 PM, Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal. Tickets are $75.00 and are available online.